A Chinese aircraft manufacturer is starting the trial production of what will be considered the world's largest seaplane.

China Aviation Industry General Aircraft (CAIGA) confirmed it has started building an early model of the TA-600 giant seaplane.

With its maiden flight scheduled next year, the plane will replace ShinMaywa US-2 short takeoff and landing (STOL) amphibious aircraft of Japan as the largest of its kind.

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Popular Science said that once completed; TA-600 will have a maximum takeoff weight of 53.5 tons. It will be six tons heavier than the Japanese ShinMaywa US-2.

The TA-600 will also have maximum range of 5,000 kilometers and a wingspan over 40 meters. It will be powered by four turboprop engines in flight.

The TA-600 prototype was first displayed at the 2010 China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition held in Zhuhai, Guandong.

The design was based on another Chinese plane, the Harbin SH-5, which is a 45-ton maritime patrol seaplane.

Historically, China is still behind the largest amphibious aircraft ever built. The Hughes H-4 Hercules or "Spruce Goose" was a prototype aircraft built by the Hughes Aircraft Company.

Spruce Goose was intended to be used as a transatlantic transport during World War II but it was not completed in time. It only flew once on November 2, 1947.

Goose, however, is bigger than the TA-600 and has a takeoff weight of 180 tons and a wingspan of 97 meters.

China is pushing seaplane technology into the 21^st century because of new technology. Seaplanes are more flexible since they can land on large bodies of water.

CAIGA manager Fu Junxu said the TA-600 will be used for maritime search and rescue operations and to fight forest fires.

The plane's ability to land in water will allow it to quickly load water in cases of forest fires.

The TA-600 will also be used by maritime enforcement agencies because of its ability to land directly near survivors. This will permit faster rescue response compared to helicopters, Fu added.

TagsWorld's largest sea plane, chinese TA-600